WIX Archives

Further to the Swedish Recovery post by Mikael Olrog

Posted by Tony C on Mon Jul 07, 2003 09:24:00 AM

Hi all,
Let me start by saying that I have absolutely no technical knowledge nor have any experience in raising wrecks, so please don't shoot me down in flames just yet!

Anyway, Mikael's post raised the idea of freezing water around an airframe, so that it could be raised 'safely'.
As has been pointed out, the practicality of the process of freezing the sounding waters could cause problems, but does the basis 'idea' have any legs.

As an alternative to freezing, would it be possible to use a Self Expanding Polyurethane Foam?

I do not know if ....

1. this type of foam would agressively attack the airframe
2. if such a foam needs the 'atmosphere' to expand or
3. if costs would be too prohibative

but I would have thought that a foam would be able to penetrate inaccessible areas, preventing the crushing caused by pressure. I would also think that foam would be reasonably light adding little to the remaining airframes' weight!

So, could the resulting 'lump' then be raised in one and would the foam be easily removed?

Further, could such a process also aid protection of the wreck once raised, during transportation and storage and would it prevent further corrosion once above water?

I don't know but is foam a possibility or should I go back to a darkened room and continue beating myself with a stick?

You can now load the weapon of your choice and fire at will..

Tony

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